// Gatekeepers 2019

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Gatekeepers 2019

The Gatekeepers study has been running for four years now, shining a light on the opaque and murky world of gatekeepers, fund selectors and investment influencers. Following the intense media focus on the Woodford Equity Income fund and the Hargreaves Lansdown’s Wealth 50 list and funds of funds, this year's report focuses on direct-to-consumer (D2C) lists as well as the opposite end of the distribution spectrum, Discretionary fund managers (DFMs).

Why are Gatekeepers important? They influence more than 70% of all platform flows, and in adverse markets, the proportion is considerably higher. Their reach is significant — regardless of how good or bad they are, funds that aren't on Gatekeepers’ radars are losing out on substantial flows. In 2018, retail platforms recorded net flows of £45bn so upwards of £32bn was under some kind of influence. In the first half 0f 2019, net platform sales plummeted to just £6bn and we suspect that all of that was gatekeeper influenced.

Two products

Designed to help fund selectors, fund groups and advisers, the Gatekeepers Report and the quarterly Gatekeepers Database aim to equip you with the tools you need to stay ahead of the competition in this rapidly changing landscape.